Read Online A Family For Christmas by Linda Finlay - Free Book Online Page B

making assumptions. ‘I mean, I would be happy to assist if you
don’t mind my staying on till then?’
    Rose brightened. ‘You can stay as long as
you like, Eliza. If you’re sure you don’t mind helping with the preparations, then
we’ll do it,’ she declared.
    ‘I’ll break open a bottle of cider to
celebrate,’ Ben said, grinning.
    ‘Ben Ashley, it’s barely
mid-afternoon. What kind of example would that be to set our son, and what use will you be for
the rest of the day, if you’re worse for wear?’ Rose admonished.
    ‘I was only thinking of the one bottle,
Rose.’
    ‘You can content yourself with mixing the
special Ashcombe cider cup. No doubt you will sample it sufficiently to quench your thirst. Now,
we’ll need to make a list,’ Rose said, grabbing a pencil and frowning in
concentration.
    ‘While you girls make the arrangements,
Duncan and I will take the harvest cart and spread the word,’ Ben said, getting quickly to
his feet.
    ‘Make sure we have enough cider for the
wassail cup,
then look out your
great-grandfather’s clayen to serve it in,’ Rose told him.
    ‘Yes, ma’am,’ Ben said with a
salute. ‘Gosh, she’s getting as bossy as Great-Grandmother,’ he grumbled to
Duncan.
    ‘When did you say this Wassail is
held?’ Eliza asked.
    ‘On the old Twelfth Night, which is the
17th of January,’ Rose said. ‘Why, that’s in two days’ time,’ she
squawked. Flinging open the back door she yelled, ‘Ben Ashley, get yourself back in here
this very minute.’ But all they could hear was the sound of hooves and the clatter of the
cart making its way down the icy track.

8
    ‘Have you ever made apple cakes
before?’ Rose asked Eliza the next morning.
    She shook her head. ‘I made apple pie once
for a special treat,’ she replied.
    ‘Well, I’ve no idea how to make
them,’ Rose muttered. ‘Worse still, there’s some special ingredient one has to
use to make them the Ashcombe way. Apparently this marries with what’s used in the wassail
cup.’
    ‘Is there a receipt somewhere?’
    ‘Gosh, I am a clod.
Great-Grandmother’s book’s kept in the old hall. Come on.’
    Eliza followed Rose along the hallway until they
came to a halt in front of a magnificent dresser reflecting the patina of age. Pulling down a
huge tome, Rose began flicking through the pages, which gave Eliza a chance to look around.
    This part of the building had a completely
different feel to it. She couldn’t help nodding to Great-Grandfather Joshua on the wall
opposite and could have sworn his eyes twinkled back. She was convinced she could detect a whiff
of tobacco smoke. How lovely it would have been to have a picture of Grampy on the wall of their
cottage, she thought. Then she noticed what looked like a tiny door in the wall to the right of
his picture.
    ‘What’s that?’ she asked
Rose.
    ‘It’s the hidy-hole where Ben’s
great-grandfather placed their babies’ first shoes.’ Seeing Eliza’s puzzled
look, she continued, ‘According to some ancient custom, bricking up a shoe in the wall
brings luck to the household. Of course, Joshua, being Joshua, insisted on placing a pair of
each of his children’s shoes in there. He was never one to do things by halves. The
tradition has continued down the generations so I guess we’ll have to do the same with
Joshua’s first pair.’ Rose shuddered. ‘This hallway gives me the creeps. It
feels like a flipping mausoleum. I’m hoping that in time I’ll be able to persuade
Ben to rip it out. I quite fancy turning this part into a garden room.’
    ‘Oh, you mustn’t,’ cried Eliza.
Then, when Rose stared at her in amazement: ‘You’re so lucky having all this family
history around you. I’ve never experienced that.’
    ‘Whatever’s gone on in your past
can’t be changed. However, the future lies ahead. When you marry and have children
you’ll be able to create your own memories, won’t you?’ Rose pointed out.
    Eliza snorted and pointed down